Abstract

"Spider of the Escorial"

The article presents information on the book "Philip II: The First Modern King," by Jean H. Mariéjol. If Henry Adams's attempt to apply the second law of thermodynamics to the history of mankind did not meet with conspicuous success, the theory would seem to find better justification in the historiography of Philip II. The vital energy of earlier assaults on this sixteenth-century Lucifer has given way to an equilibrium of pros and cons. The once familiar figure of the "Spider of the Escorial" has been transformed into that of a chief clerk bending over files of correspondence, a mediocrity to whom is denied even the distinction of diabolism. In current accounts of his reign, the murders and massacres belong to the spirit of the age, only the red tape is Philip's. The truth about Philip is that in several respects he was an exceptional person, and that in its totality his character was unique.